Penticton Art Gallery Announces Leadership Transition

In an unexpected turn of events, the Penticton Art Gallery announces the resignation of President Dr. Claude Roberto and long-time Board member Robert Doull. The Board expresses its gratitude for their dedication and years of service to the Gallery and the arts community.

Vice President Leslie Whatmough has been appointed Interim President to ensure continuity and stability during this transition period.

Born and raised in Ontario, Leslie comes from a family deeply rooted in the arts — her father, an architect and sculptor, and her mother, a potter and painter. A graduate of McMaster University on the Dean’s Honour List, Leslie holds a major in English and a minor in Art History.

Her professional journey reflects a lifelong commitment to community engagement through the arts. While raising two children as a single parent, she served as Volunteer Coordinator for the Brott Music Festival and Event Manager for McMaster Children’s Hospital. Her leadership experience continued in the visual arts sector, where she worked as Program Development Manager with Visual Arts Mississauga and, previously, at the Art Gallery of Burlington — first as Education Coordinator and later as Curator of Education.

In these roles, Leslie developed programming that brought artists and audiences together across a wide range of mediums, emphasizing access, inclusion, and participation.

After moving to Penticton in 2024 to be closer to her family, Leslie joined the PAG Board in May 2025. She brings with her a vision grounded in collaboration, education, and community renewal:

“The PAG’s Permanent Collection and Art Library are incredible community resources and should be the foundation of the majority of our exhibitions. The purpose of a gallery’s education program is to provide multiple opportunities for visitors of all abilities to connect with the works on display,” says Whatmough. "The future of the Gallery depends on the commitment of members with a variety of skills to volunteer and we encourage those with a passion for art to please step into the future with us.”

The Board recognizes that times of transition can raise questions and concerns, and we wish to reassure our members, artists, and supporters that the Penticton Art Gallery remains steadfast in its mission to serve the community through transparency, inclusivity, and collaboration. We invite our community to join us in shaping a renewed vision for the Gallery, one that honours its remarkable history while embracing innovation, dialogue, and creative partnerships.

As the Penticton Art Gallery moves forward, the Board reaffirms its commitment to fostering a vibrant, welcoming space for artists and audiences alike.

Together, we look ahead with optimism to a renewed chapter for the Penticton Art Gallery, one that celebrates both its rich legacy and its promise for the future.